England U21s: Ones to Watch

mkdons.com takes a look at some of players to watch when England Under-21s arrive at stadiummk to take on Finland tonight

Jack Butland

Age: 20

Position: Goalkeeper

Club: Stoke City (on loan at Barnsley FC)

England Under-21 caps: 16

Butland, who represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, became England’s youngest Senior ‘keeper when he played against Italy last August.

A product of the Birmingham City Academy, Butland is regarded as the country’s brightest young keeper and his recent club form saw him earn a £3.3million move to Stoke City this past summer.

Butland is currently on loan at Championship side Barnsley FC.

Carl Jenkinson

Age: 21

Position: Right back

Club: Arsenal

England Under-21 caps: 2

Jenkinson, born to an English father and a Finnish mother, has represented both England and Finland at youth level before being called up to England’s senior side by Roy Hodgson in November 2012.

The talented right-back began his club career with Charlton Athletic before signing for Arsenal in June 2011 for a reported £1million.

Jenkinson has made 11 appearances for Arsenal so far this season, two of which came in the UEFA Champions League.

Luke Shaw

Age: 18

Position: Left back

Club: Southampton

England Under-21 caps: 2

Shaw finally made his England Under-21 debut in September, having been forced to pull out of three previous squads due to injury.

The exciting attacking full-back is the latest in a long line of players to have developed through the Southampton’s fabled Academy, following in the footsteps of former Saints Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain.

Shaw has featured nine times for Southampton in the Premier League this season.

Will Hughes

Age: 18

Position: Centre midfield

Club: Derby County

England Under-21 caps: 4

Hughes, one of the most sought-after young midfielders in England, became the second-youngest player to receive an Under-21 cap when he made his debut against Northern Ireland last year.

The bright playmaker was named the Football League’s Young Player of the Month in November 2012, which led to a number of rumours linking him with a move away from Derby County.

Hughes, though, still remains at Pride Park and has scored 4 goals in 18 appearances for the Rams already this campaign.